PSAT Critical Reading : One-Blank Sentences

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for PSAT Critical Reading

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Example Questions

Example Question #995 : Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Although Heather was normally __________, she shied away from walking across the swinging rope bridge.

Possible Answers:

obstinate

intrepid

pragmatic

disinclined

timorous

Correct answer:

intrepid

Explanation:

Someone who is intrepid is fearless. The statement says that although Heather was too scared to walk across the swinging rope bridge, she is normally quite adventurous. Thus, the word that is the best fit in the sentence is intrepid.

Example Question #996 : Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The small town bustled as everyone prepared to give the __________ politician a grand welcome.

Possible Answers:

despised

eminent

measly

disappointed

emergent

Correct answer:

eminent

Explanation:

Eminent means prominent or distinguished. The townspeople are putting effort into welcoming the politician because of this quality. While emergent is also plausible, if the politician is new to the political scene, it does not fit the "grand welcome" as well as eminent. The other answers are all negative, and the blank fits with a positive adjective.

Example Question #997 : Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The root of the word "__________" comes from a Greek myth about a young boy who could not stop himself from staring longingly at his own reflection; he fell in love with his own beauty.

Possible Answers:

substance 

comely 

steadfast

narcissistic

preternatural

Correct answer:

narcissistic

Explanation:

The word narcissistic comes from the Greek myth about a boy named Narcissus who falls in love with his own reflection. It means self-absorbed and vain. If you did not know this you would have to try and eliminate answer choices. Steadfast means resolute, substance means of value, and preternatural means unnatural or supernatural. None of the previously mentioned words make much sense in the context of the sentence. Comely could perhaps be considered an adequate answer, but comely means just cute, not beautiful. Narcissistic is the best option.

Example Question #998 : Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

_________ displays of wealth were common among the rulers of Renaissance Europe; some observers enjoyed the displays of luxury, others complained that the Kings were just showing off.

Possible Answers:

Ostentatious 

Insular 

Equitable 

Steadfast 

Halting 

Correct answer:

Ostentatious 

Explanation:

From the information revealed in the sentence you know that the blank word must be close in meaning to “wealth” and “luxury.” Also, the notion that the Kings were showing off suggests that some people found it not just rich, but also showy. This should lead you to the correct answer ostentatious. Ostentatious means marked by a vulgar or showy display of wealth. Insular means inwardly focused; halting means speech characterized by frequent pauses; steadfast means resolute; equitable means fair and agreeable.

Example Question #999 : Sentence Completion Questions

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The palace at Versailles is one of the most __________ in all of Europe; it remains a popular tourist site today due to the excessive luxury on display.

Possible Answers:

laconic 

indoctrinated

whimsical 

extravagant

reserved 

Correct answer:

extravagant

Explanation:

The second clause in the sentence describes how people come from all over to witness the “excessive luxury” of Versailles. This should indicate to you that the first blank must describe the luxurious nature of the palace. The correct answer is therefore extravagant which means fancy or excessive. Whimsical means quirky or silly; reserved means contained; indoctrinated means to have been caused to believe something; laconic means brief.

Example Question #994 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

Sarah’s teacher instructed her that her essay needed greater focus; the teacher felt that the thesis was far too _________.

Possible Answers:

propserous 

supercilious

terse

demanding

ambiguous 

Correct answer:

ambiguous 

Explanation:

The first clause reveals that the teacher faulted the essay for lacking focus; therefore the blank at the end of the sentence must mean unfocused or vague. This means the correct answer is ambiguous. Terse means brief; supercilious means arrogant or condescending; prosperous means wealthy.

Example Question #995 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The __________ struggle of the Hawaiian nationalist movement ended in complete capitulation.  

Possible Answers:

reinforced

futile 

jubilant 

monotonous

successful

Correct answer:

futile 

Explanation:

The sentence tells you that the Hawaiian nationalist movement ended in complete capitulation (surrender) which means the struggle must have been unsuccessful/insignificant. Of the five possible answer choices futile best matches this definition. Futile means pointless or useless; jubilant means very happy; monotonous means boring.

Example Question #321 : Adjectives And Adverbs In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The __________ man could often be found in the local haunt or a roadside establishment, lingering longer than even the pool players or the karaoke enthusiasts.

Possible Answers:

colloquial

bibulous

sonorous

dissentious

compunctive

Correct answer:

bibulous

Explanation:

"Bibulous" refers to a person who is fond of drinking. The context of the sentence provides clues that indicate that the individual in the sentence frequents bars or saloons and stays longer than a casual drinker.

Example Question #996 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

The commentators felt that the way the linebacker plowed into the wide receiver, running into him with full force out of bounds, was __________ to barbarity.

Possible Answers:

nether

naught

disparate

tantamount

radical

Correct answer:

tantamount

Explanation:

"Tantamount" means equal in value or meaning, and the description of the way the linebacker hits the wide receiver in the sentence seems to indicate that the hit was uncalled for, or too harsh for the fact the receiver was out of bounds. This would indicate a comparison to a barbarous act, so “tantamount” fits to complete the sentence.

Example Question #885 : Parts Of Speech In One Blank Sentences

Choose the word or set of words that best completes the following sentence.

After a chaotic move to a new state, the family was eager to settle in to a __________ period before they both began new jobs later that month.

Possible Answers:

halcyon

jaunty

temperate

lavish

tempestuous

Correct answer:

halcyon

Explanation:

The sentence is structured to create a contrast between the “chaotic” state of the family’s move and the period before their new jobs start. The correct choice will be a word that means something similar to calm or tranquil, and so the correct choice is "halcyon."

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